Stir-Fries
Stir-fried Two Winter Delicacies
“Stir-fried Two Winter Delicacies” (Chao Er Dong) is a traditional seasonal dish from Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. The “Two Winters” refer to winter bamboo shoots and winter mushrooms (shiitake mushrooms). The finished dish features a beautiful contrast of black and white; the shiitake mushrooms are fragrant, tender, and糯, while the bamboo shoots are fresh, tender, and crisp. This dish embodies the “light and savory” flavor profile of Hangzhou cuisine. The cooking process requires precise heat control, involving stir-frying, simmering, and a final light starch-thickening, all finished with a drizzle of sesame oil to perfectly blend the rich mushroom flavor with the refreshing taste of bamboo shoots. Preparation takes about 20-30 minutes.
Main Ingredients
- Winter bamboo shoots 250g
- Fresh shiitake mushrooms 100g
- Vegetable stock (or clear broth/water) 100ml
- Fresh ginger 2-3 slices
- Spring onion 1 stalk
- Rapeseed oil (or peanut oil) 30g
- Soy sauce 10g
- Salt 2g
- White sugar 5g
- MSG (or chicken powder) 3g
- Cornstarch slurry 15g
- Sesame oil 15g
Steps
Winter Bamboo Shoots: Peel the bamboo shoots, remove the tough root end, and use only the tender part. Cut them into domino-shaped slices about 0.3cm thick. Blanch the sliced bamboo shoots in boiling water briefly to remove any astringency. Shiitake Mushrooms: Remove the stems from fresh shiitake mushrooms, wash, and cut them into domino-shaped slices as well. If using dried shiitake, soak them in cold water in advance; the soaking liquid can be strained and used as “vegetable stock”.
Heat a wok over high heat, swirl in some oil to coat the wok, then add the rapeseed oil. Once the oil is hot, add the winter bamboo shoot slices and stir-fry briefly.
Immediately pour in 100ml of vegetable stock, add the shiitake mushroom slices, and cook for about 2 minutes.
Season with soy sauce, salt, and sugar, and cook for another half minute. Finally, add MSG, and thicken the sauce with a light cornstarch slurry
Season with soy sauce, salt, and sugar, and cook for another half minute.
TCM Notes
Winter Bamboo Shoots: Rich in fiber and amino acids, they aid in digestion. As a low-starch food, they are beneficial for people with obesity, coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and arteriosclerosis. They are also a good source of protein and vitamins. Shiitake Mushrooms: Rich in protein and lentinan (a polysaccharide). Lentinan can boost immune function. Compounds like purines, choline, tyrosine, and oxidase in shiitake mushrooms can help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood lipids, and may also help prevent arteriosclerosis and cirrhosis. Together, this dish provides a good source of dietary fiber and quality protein, while also offering potential benefits for metabolic regulation and immune support.
Suitable for：Suitable for the general population. People with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, and arteriosclerosis. Those needing to regulate constipation. Those focused on anti-cancer dietary therapy. People with obesity and diabetes.
Not suitable for：People with urinary stones or nephritis: Winter bamboo shoots contain calcium oxalate and should be consumed sparingly. Children: Calcium oxalate may interfere with calcium absorption; consume in moderation. Those allergic to mushrooms: Should avoid. People with Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold or diarrhea: Both ingredients are cooling in nature and may worsen gastrointestinal discomfort.
